Yearbook Project@ Tibetan Orphanage School

During my time in Tibet, I volunteered at a local charity school called Upper Luokema Elementary and Middle School. One thing that really struck me was how little the students had to commemorate their youth. None of them had photos or yearbooks, and I thought a lot about the flow of memories and time. Would their youth simply fade, washed away like melting snow in the Tibetan summer? I decided to use my photography skills to give each of them a professional yearbook picture as a present. I interviewed every child and put their best memories alongside their proudest photos. For many, it was the only personal portrait they’d ever had. 

The images below showcase the artwork of the students I photographed. The care and skill they displayed were the equal of any student I’d seen abroad, though their financial situation was far different. The desire to create beauty helped them stretch beyond their economic barriers, and showed me that art and imagination are something that extend past economic boundaries.